2007 recap: 10 ineligible goodies

By • Dec 19th, 2007 • Category: Columns

Each year, tens of thousands of albums are released worldwide. And each year, about this time, every publications, radio station, TV channel, dude with a blog, record store clerk, iPod-sporting teen, etc. has a list as to what his or her favorite releases of the past 12 months are.

The problem is that each of these lists is subject to different criteria. Even more of a problem, is that there just is too much for any one outlet to claim with any confident authority that it has a definitive list. No matter how thorough a research team might be, how elitist your music snob friend might have become, nobody – again, nobody – can hear it all. Especially when battling today’s excess of information.

With a shrinking recording landscape, it’s never been easier to record an album for a small indie imprint with limit distribution, only to have it redistributed around the world one year, two years, maybe six years later. Places such as Myspace have made finding new material from any upstart label on Earth as easy as it ever has been. Then, a band like Radiohead had to go and turn the release-date world on its head by peddling its tunes exclusively digitally, just as we all were starting to get a grasp on things.

Thus, what is new today might be ancient tomorrow. Yet, in some cases, what seems new today might already be ancient by music industry standards.

Because material can go unnoticed for months – even years – before the right person hears it and gives in that international push it needs to wrack up loads of critical acclaim and the theoretical sales that come with, it becomes important to stay true to release dates when narrowing down these year-end lists.

Admitting that a record fell through the cracks doesn’t hurt an outlet’s credibility. In fact, saying “we missed this until it got a wider release” makes the news media seem a bit more human. Plus, it ups the integrity of the list because it has stayed consistent with some basic guidelines.

Basic guidelines for year-end lists:
- Original release dates only:
The classic reason why adhering to this date is vital is The X-ray Spex’s seminal 1978 album “Germ Free Adolescents,” which was not released in the U.S. until the early 1990s. Just because an album might not have been on the shelves in your country does not mean it didn’t exist beforehand. Come down off your nationalistic podium and enjoy the music.
- No live albums: Live albums usually are greatest hits compilations and give an unfair advantage. Note: These are allowed on the list if they consist of entirely new material that is being released for the first time, a la The MC5′s debut “Kick Out The Jams.”
– No compilations: Various artist comps, such as movie soundtracks are not the result of an artist, but rather mix-and-match projects of a music supervisor with a knack for setting a mood. Note: Movie soundtracks are eligible if they consist of only new material by one specific artist, a la Badly Drawn Boy’s “About A Boy.”
- Previously unreleased material: Compiled B-sides can turn into faux greatest hits, most of which has surfaced in some form or another. Note: These sorts of hodgepodge releases are eligible if none of the rarity tracks have found their ways onto EPs or other limited releases.

So without further adieu … Ten ineligible goodies from 2007

10. “Yours To Keep” (Rough Trade)
Albert Hammond, Jr.
U.K. release: Oct. 9, 2006
International release: May 6, 2007

The solo debut from The Strokes’ rhythm guitarist draws from his father’s 1970s pop roots more than anything that his work in his primary band has come close to. This California-feeling release never sounds too much like the New York hipster is making a blatant attempt to distance himself from his rock outfit nor like he’s self-conscious about staying true to it. His guitar work gets heard with fresh ears while played beneath his affect-less vocals, a stark contrast to Julian Casablancas’ distorted croon.
Hear: “101″ and “Call An Ambulance”

9. “Grow Up and Blow Away” (Last Gang)
Metric
Canadian release: 2001
International release: June 6, 2007

While front woman Emily Haines’ reputation for being a marquee act continues to blossom because of her roots in the oft-credited Broken Social Scene and last year’s solid solo release, it’s funny to imagine a time when nobody would put this album out. Thus, the band was forced to record and limitedly distribute these 10 delicately quirky tracks that served as a roadmap to Metric’s current place in indie pop.
Hear: “Blow Away” and “On The Sly

8. “Hey Hey My My Yo Yo” (Crunchy Frog)
Junior Senior
U.K. release: Aug. 24, 2005
International release: Aug. 14, 2007

A glowing collection of disco-fused dance beats and sweaty, feel-good club songs, the Denmark duo is as much worried about keeping your feet moving on its second release, as it is about plastering a smile on your face and drawing your hands waving above your head.
Hear: “Hip Hop a Lula” and “Take My Time”

7. “We Are The Pipettes” (Naive)
The Pipettes
U.K. release: July 17, 2006
International release: Oct. 2, 2007

While Amy Winehouse rocks her 1950s pin-up girl outfits, The Pipettes combined theirs with classic doo wop harmonies that hearken back to the golden days of girl groups. Taking a cue from other classic “ettes” of the early Phil Spector days, the debut LP from this English trio fits as easily on oldies radio as it does in today’s retro-crazed environment.
Hear: “Because It’s Not Love (But It’s Still A Feeling)” and “Why Did You Stay?”

6. “The End of History” (Bella Union)
Fionn Regan
U.K. release: Aug. 7, 2006
International release: July 10, 2007

The Irish singer/songwriter’s debut album is an emotional stride through a valley of acoustic balladry. Regan avoids the trap of cliche emotions that many solo performers fall into when they have a guitar strap on one sleeve and their heart on the other.
Hear: “Be Good Or Be Gone” and “Black Water Child”

5. “Ode to Ochrasy” (Mute)
Mando Diao
Swedish release: Aug. 25, 2006
International release: April 10, 2007

The Swedish garage ensemble’s third album doesn’t have the whimsy of its debut, nor the snarky cynicism of it’s sophomore album. And the result is 14 songs that pay homage to the post-gig, pre-dawn world the band has dubbed “Ochrasy,” with a surprisingly appropriate degree of seriousness.
Hear: “Long Before Rock ‘n’ Roll” and “You Don’t Understand Me”

4. “Alone: The Home Recordings of Rivers Cuomo” (Geffen)
Rivers Cuomo
International release: Dec. 18, 2007

A collection of rarities from Weezer’s front man finds itself ineligible because of a demo version of “Buddy Holly” that made its way onto this 18-song output. Easily the best Weezer-related material in more than a decade, it’s a blasting reminder as to why the band’s first two records remain power-pop gems and classic coming-of-age tales.
Hear: “Blast Off!” and “Longtime Sunshine”

3. “Fur & Gold” (Echo)
Bat For Lashes
U.K. release: Sept. 11, 2006
International release: July 31, 2007

This debut record from Pakistan-born, English-educated former performance artist Natasha Khan sounds (somehow) exactly as it should – like a “James Bond” theme. Each of the 11 songs on this Mercury Prize nominated album sashays with the romantic danger fit for the classic character.
Hear: “What’s A Girl To Do?” and “Trophy”

2. “Datarock Datarock” (Yap/Etcetc)
Datarock
Norwegian release: 2005
International release: June. 12, 2007

Norway’s duo of electronic beatsmiths had to wait more than two years to get its beats to an international audience – but the wait was worth it. At times the tunes are grinding club anthems, at other’s they are mellow trance scores. But make no mistake, they are all atmospheric, and all intelligently screwball.
Hear: “See What I Care” and “I Used To Dance With My Daddy”

1. “Writer’s Block” (Wichita)
Peter, Bjorn and John
U.K. release: Aug. 14, 2006
International release: Feb. 6, 2007

What certainly would have been one of the top two-dozen albums of the year finds itself relegated to this list. And it’s a shame, because any band that can survive such a horrid name has to be outstanding. PBJ’s fuzzy delicacies teeter between psychedelic pop and simplistic daydreaming, all the while sounding as if these slightly edgy, slightly mellow lo-fi tunes are suitable for any setting.
Hear: “Young Folks” and “Amsterdam”

Northwest Herald, Dec. 19, 2007

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